Driving ban lifted in Saudi Arabia

FEMALE racing driver Aseel Al Hamad had never driven on a track in her home country before. That was, until yesterday (June 24), when the ban on women drivers was lifted in Saudi Arabia.

The first female board member of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation took to the track in a Jaguar F-TYPE on a circuit in Riyadh, marking what it’s hoped will be forever known as World Driving Day.

With the support of Jaguar, Aseel said she hoped it would be a day the whole world, men and women alike, could enjoy the thrill of being behind the wheel of a car.

“Having loved cars since I was a child, today is highly emotional for me. This is the best driving moment of my life,” she said.

“What better way to kick off World Driving Day than a lap of honour in my home country in a Jaguar F-TYPE – the ultimate car to roar around the track.”

By creating World Driving Day, Jaguar is urging people to remember this historic day and what it means to women, to Saudi Arabia and to world progress in general.

As part of its ongoing work with over 40 Universities and Academic institutions globally on future mobility solutions, the company will also be partnering with University in Saudi Arabia to join this global network.

Details of the partnership, to be announced later this year, will be a unique exchange to tap into the brightest young minds in Saudi Arabia to shape the company’s future innovations as it moves to an autonomous, electrified driving future.

Aseel Al Hamad also serves as the Saudi Arabian representative at Women in Motorsport Commission for Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). She has driven fast cars all over the world.

She holds a degree in interior design engineering from Prince Sultan University and followed additional courses at the University of the Arts in London.